BANGOR, Maine — The Cross Insurance Center was alive with laughter and the sound of bouncing basketballs on Monday afternoon.
The University of Maine women’s basketball team, which opens its regular season next month, was putting on a free clinic for area youngsters.
About 100 enthusiastic kids dribbled and shot under the guidance of players and coaches from Maine’s only Division I program.
“They don’t do this for the press, they do this because this is who they are,” said Bob Montgomery-Rice, the president and CEO of Bangor Savings Bank.
“They’re winning the right way, and I think that resonates for Maine,” he added after announcing that Bangor Savings Bank has entered into a three-year agreement to serve as the title sponsor of UMaine women’s basketball.
“We were able to find a lot of parallel interests here with Bangor Savings and what we’re trying to do with our athletic teams and our women’s basketball program,” UMaine athletics director Karlton Creech said.
Montgomery-Rice said the bank is approached often about the prospect of providing financial support to various causes. He said teaming up with UMaine women’s basketball was a no-brainer, given its influence and outreach in the community.
“This one was different, because it was about leadership, about the university, and it’s really about what this team represents,” Montgomery-Rice said. “They’re connecting with the community.”
Under the deal signed with Black Bear Sports Properties, the exclusive media rights holder for UMaine athletics, Bangor Savings Bank will underwrite free clinics for area youth, support the “Bangor Savings Bank Ball Kids Program,” and donate game tickets to local nonprofit organizations that focus on serving girls in the community.
Bangor Savings Bank also has implemented a season-long scoring challenge during which it will donate $2 to the women’s basketball program for every point scored by the Black Bears.
Last season, UMaine scored 1,954 points, which would have meant $3,908 for the program.
“Bangor Savings has made a commitment to making the community stronger, and they’ve seen a special opportunity here in terms of developing leadership in our young women,” said UMaine head coach Richard Barron.
The press conference also featured video comments from Sen. Susan Collins, who applauded the efforts of the team and the bank.
“This partnership highlights the importance of encouraging more women to seek leadership roles throughout our society,” Collins said.
“A hallmark of the entire UMaine athletics program is the pursuit of excellence in competition, in the classroom and in community involvement,” she added.
Senior Liz Wood spoke on behalf of the team in expressing its collective gratitude for the backing Bangor Savings Bank will be providing.
“I want to really thank Bangor Savings Bank for supporting us and helping us to continue to create this culture that will create young leaders in the future, much like the ones sitting in front of us today,” she said.